Loving God, Burning Hell?

Question

I don't understand how certain Christian's can rhapsodize for hours on how loving their God is, and then tell you if you didn't do what he says you were going to burn in hell. How can they be the 'children of god' and still be willing to accept the concept of hell?

If your child came home from school with a note that said he had spit on the teacher, hit another student, and taken the lord's name in vain, would you proceed to set him on fire and keep the fire burning as long as humanly possible? CERTAINLY NOT!!!

If you saw on the news that someone had set their child on fire, regardless of the reason, you would be appalled.

Yet the 'children of god' accept this possible punishment from their 'loving father' without question.

How do they reconcile the concept of hell, with the 'Loving God' image?

Would a truly loving god set his children alight and watch them burn?

I think no loving parent would set their child alight. Nor do I think a loving god would. I have no problem with the concept of a vengeful god, but I do have a problem with a vengeful god being portrayed as loving. And as for the life we are living being hell. That seems a miserable outlook on life. I have things withing my life that I do not enjoy, but life itself is far from being hell.

Prayer Man and Man Utd -

I have never seen any crime that would justify torture - especially one so horrid.

And Prayer Man - I never said I was a child of your God

Answer 1

thank u! Sometimes i wonder if they ask themselves this question too.

Maybe believing in hell & satan may become a "lock in" situation: if you start wondering what if it didnt really exist, then maybe its just because satan is doing such a good job deceiving you, so.. you block it.

The very concept of damnation, unables you to freely search for answers. Outsider's answers may be a disguised highway to hell.

I think the key solution is love. Above all, God is love. And what would be more important to him, justice or mercy?
In this light, the only acceptable hell would be one that consist in realizing how much pain have you caused for others, in order to make your nature 'evolve' into a more loving one. But that process is not meant to last forever.

I believe that a loving God and an eternal hell are total opposites.

Answer 2

Ahhh, my point for years!I used to say, “How can God be a loving God AND still make you fear Him?” and “What loving being would force you to suffer for eternity?”

After I lost my religion, I grew very angry. Especially thinking about all those movies that scared the crap out of us about the end of the world! I felt that a loving God shouldn't have to frighten you to get you to love Him. And the heaven and hell that were described to me… well, neither were desirable! Until my cousin got me to pray, “If there is a God, prove it to me,” I didn't believe in God at all. But things happened that changed my mind drastically. I am not religious, but spiritual. Big, big difference. Now I Know there Is a God, but He is Not what so many think! God is Not vengeful, people are! Karma is not a punishment, but a lesson.

For those who would say that it is stupid to believe at all (like I would have not too long ago), I challenge them to say the prayer above. I did it without belief, fear, or expectation. I do caution you, however. Some of us take a LOT of convincing, and it could be quite intense. But if you are truly convinced there is no God, then you would not have any trouble saying a ‘pointless’ prayer, would you? I mean, after all, what's the worst that could happen? Nothing, right?

On the other hand, it could change your life. But you will never know unless you try.

Answer 3

Good reasoning. Some faiths (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) agree with this concept because it is consistent with what the Bible teaches.

Jeremiah 7:31 talks about how the people of Hinnom would burn their children alive (sacrificial death). God says that such "a thing I had not commanded and that had not come up into my heart."

Now THAT is a loving God.

Answer 4

Truly, God created us. He is the one who gave life to us. Without God, we will not exist. We therefore owe our life to Him. Because of His great love for us, He even sacrificed His life through Jesus Christ by dying on the cross.

He gave us a heart that only we can open. This means that He has given us the free will—to believe in Him or not, to do evil or to do good. He is knocking at the door of our heart and yet many of us do not want to open it and allow Him in.

Philippians 4:8 states: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think of these things.” For these are things from God. Which ones do we follow—the opposite of these? We have to learn how to discern good from evil.

We can do what we would like to do now. Follow Him or disobey His commandments. Acknowledge Him or deny Him. But remember, He will settle accounts with us on Judgment Day when He hands in our sentence—either to live with Him in His kingdom in Heaven or be thrown in Hell and suffer there forever. He will have no qualms then to throw us away as rubbish into Hell because of disobedience.

Answer 5

I personally believe that religion cannot be told to you completely. You can't follow the words in a book alone; there has to be something you find yourself in religion. I think that most people feel that god is loving, no matter what the religion, because that's what they feel inside of them- that is what they know without having to pick up a book. I think that is more important than a few words in the bible.

2 cents.

Answer 6

The only thing they'll answer is, Free-will.

They'll say that you "choose" hell. God doesn't give it to you.

Free-will. That's their major defense, and actually "Free-will"
is their greatest "cop-out tactic" in any situation to justify their absurdities and atrocities commited by god. They won't question anything further than "free-will".

They'll say god gave you the choice, you choose it or go to hell. That's the most ridiculous logic of monotheistic religions.

Since they also believe that a person, no matter how wicked, kills or rapes someone, will go to heaven just for accepting their religion and the one who has actually lived a better life being a very good person and an honest person, will go to hell, just for not accepting their religion.

Answer 7

One can be loving and be fear inspiring at the same time.

If you are a parent or someday will be then this may make more sense. If your child gets mixed up with drugs, you may have to apply tough love.

Also God is a "Person of their word" Just because God loves us doesnt mean God won't punish those that go against God's word.

Love and justice are completely seperate.

Answer 8

You are given a choice aren't you?

Love God, follow him...respect everyone around you and move on to Heaven.

Do whatever against him and humanity....get tortured in Hell.

The basic concept of Heaven and Hell is to let people be aware of their roles and not misuse them. It is like God's warning to people. He made us and He has the right to implement whatever he wants.
If you are so strong in faith and good in character and moral value..there is nothing to be afraid of.
What goes around comes back around. So whatever **** you do hits you back when you die.

The cruel and wicked will suffer.

Answer 9

I'm a Christian but I don't approve a lot of ideas on this religion, but with God will I hope that we will not end in Hell...!

Answer 10

I TOTALLY agree with you! When I present this to hardcore christians, they cant explain it. Especially when I ask them "Is it true, that when you are born, God knows if you are going to heaven or hell?", they repy, "Yes he does." Then I ask, then why would he create you, to make you burn in hell?? Seems kinda sick to me! Then they say, "well, you still have a choice to change during your life".....I thought he ALREADY knew if you were going to heaven or hell??? whatever